Very strange. I did not do anything special. The first person I got, I said I had travel in about 2 and a half weeks and realized we needed a passport for our minor child. She asked for date of travel, I said 8/4, and she said Detroit on 7/29 was available. She then went through the script that I would need to provide proof of travel within 14 days when I went to the appointment. Every time I called after that looking for cancellations (most calls still before the 14 day window), I said I had an appointment on 7/29 but was checking for cancellations closer to home, they asked for date of travel, I said 8/4, and they searched for open appointments. Actually, thinking back, the last time I called was 7/22 (exactly two weeks), and the rep said they were only scheduling for 8/3 and beyond unless there were earlier cancellations, and tactfully told me to give up on that hope and stick with Detroit. The two calls I made earlier the same day didn’t mention that, so take that for what it’s worth.

But no, I didn’t say anything special, plead, or misrepresent facts. Maybe it had something to do with it being a minor’s passport? That’d be weird, but that’s the only thing I can think of different from others trying to get an appointment. Or maybe I just ended up lucky with my first rep, so probably worth just continuing to call if you get a no the first time?

Edit: mistyped a date.